Search
shop

Review: Kask Bambino Pro

With the racing season starting to get into full swing, is an aero helmet on your wish list? Chris Hovenden has been putting the Kask Bambino Pro to the test.
Last updated -

The Kask Bambino Pro is said to be aerodynamic in all head positions, helpful if you struggle to keep your head still while riding. Chris Hovenden has been testing it out.

Product Kask Bambino Pro
Price £285
Size Medium (55-58cm)
Weight 352g
Colours Various.
Sizes Medium (55-58cm); Large (59-62cm)
Website www.velobrands.co.uk
Grade B

 

On the road with the Bambino Pro

Let’s be honest, before the Italian company started sponsoring Team Sky, Kask was not one of the brands that came to mind when considering buying a new helmet.

However, Chris Froome’s exceptional success against the clock in time trials has made it hard to ignore the impact of Kask’s aero lids. Further, in the world of triathlon, Kask has been supporting 4-time World Champion Leanda Cave.

If spending close to £300 on a helmet you definitely want it to be versatile (for perspective – Giro’s top of the range Aerohead Ultimate MIPS retails for a mind boggling £519.99, whereas the lower spec Aerohead option is available at £259.99).

With its short and stubby tail the Bambino Pro is following the trend of drag defying lids that are designed to offer aero gains whilst not negating these benefits when fatigue sets in and you start moving your head around.

Kask Bambino Pro

The result is a helmet that could in theory be suitable for sprint triathlons and longer distance races.

The Bambino has been around for a few years and with the latest generation Kask has made a few improvements.

Kask says that the helmet’s shape has been amended following wind tunnel testing and claims the result is a helmet that is aero whatever your head position.

The magnets that keep the transparent visor (you can buy other visors separately), in situ have been re-designed and now the magnets recess into the helmet – the result is a more aerodynamic profile; and, a visor that is fixed securely, which is good news for those that are used to wearing sunnies who may instinctively touch the visor. You’d have to hit it pretty hard to dislodge it.

Kask Bambino Pro

However, although the wide visor offers a good field of vision, I found that when jumping on the bike with wet hair the visor tended to steam up (an issue fellow riders had expressed). Obviously you can remove the visor on the fly, but you might want to practice stowing it on the top of the helmet.

Also, when rushing in T1 I found getting the lid on with the visor installed a bit challenging (it is doable… but takes some practice), and on occasions I managed to get the dial of the Octo-Fit system stuck between my head and the shell. Easily solved… less haste, more speed.

Kask Bambino Pro

Once on the road, the retention system works well. You can adjust the fit when riding by turning the rear dial and this combined with the elaborate leather chin-strap and internal padding provide a comfortable fit.

The equation is simple – more air ports, means better ventilation but it also means less aero.

Kask Bambino Pro

The Kask Bambino Pro aims to reach a manageable compromise. To help keep your head cool it has six air slits at the front and four at the back, as well as channels that run through the roof of the helmet. However, if riding in hotter climates, you might prefer a lid with more ventilation.

Kask Bambino Pro

The Kask Bambino Pro is a good option for a rider like me; not being the most flexible, the short/stubby profile is a good option for anything beyond 40k.

However, you might have noticed at last year’s the Tour de France Chris Froome was using a longer tailed version – in short, if you can hold an aero position you may make more aero gains with a longer tailed aero helmet, such as the Bell Javelin.

Verdict

Versatile and relatively light aero lid, but it comes with a ‘Sky’ high price.

Written by
Chris Hovenden
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...